TEMPE, Ariz. (www.TheSunDevils.com) -- In a recent ranking provided by Boydsworld.com, the website dedicated to college baseball rankings and RPI, the Arizona State Baseball program ranked No. 9 in the nation for sustained excellence over the past three and five years.

Boyd Nation, the founder of Boydsworld.com, used a calculation that is a direct reflection of the strength of the recently departed recruiting class (the three-year ranking) or the strength of the program in general (the five-year ranking). The rankings are the result of a system of calculations designed to properly weight a team's winning percentage and strength of schedule, while taking inter-regional play into account.

The Arizona State Baseball program is coming off a strong 2003 season in which they went 54-14 and finished with a No. 7 national ranking by Baseball America. Over the last three years, ASU baseball has combined to go 128-55 with a strength of schedule ranked 17th. Over the past five years, head coach Pat Murphy's squads have combined for an impressive 211-91 (.699) record and a strength of schedule listed as No. 24. The Sun Devils have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in five of the last six years and have been ranked in 79 consecutive national polls.